Providing customized in-vehicle services using a vehicle telematics unit

Abstract

A method and system for providing a customized in-vehicle service to one or more people inside a vehicle via a vehicle telematics unit. The method involves detecting the presence of a personal mobile device at the vehicle, associating the detected mobile device with a specific person, and providing a customized service to the specific person identified via the vehicle telematics unit. The method and system can be used, for example, to adjust vehicle settings or operation in response to detecting the presence of a specific person's cell phone or other mobile device.

1 . A method of providing a customized in-vehicle service to one or more people inside a vehicle via a vehicle telematics unit, comprising the steps of:
 (a) detecting the presence of a personal mobile device at the vehicle;   (b) associating the detected mobile device with a specific person; and   (c) providing a customized service to the specific person identified via the vehicle telematics unit.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (b) further comprises associating the detected mobile device with the specific person using at least one identifier obtained wirelessly from the detected mobile device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of generating a database containing the at least one identifier prior to step (a). 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the generating step comprises generating the database during initial telematics service subscriber setup. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the generating step comprises generating the database in response to a telematics service subscriber entering the identifier either into a service website via a processing device or through the vehicle telematics unit. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the processing device is a personal computer. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the generating step comprises generating the database in response to the telematics unit detecting one or more identifiers, communicating at least one identifier to a service subscriber via a service website or through the telematics unit, and the service subscriber selecting one or more identifiers and associating them with one or more specific people. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the database comprises at least a cellular phone number and/or a Bluetooth address of one or more personal mobile devices linked to one or more people associated with a telematics service subscriber. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the generating step comprises storing the database at a call center. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the database is updated at least once a year by the call center. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the generating step comprises storing the database inside the vehicle and updating the database on a regular basis. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device is a cellular device comprising either a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant (PDA). 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (a) further comprises detecting the presence of a personal mobile device in the vehicle using a Bluetooth connection. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one person can be associated with one or more mobile devices. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (c) further comprises setting global preferences if at least one other personal mobile device is detected at the vehicle that is associated with someone other than the specific person and otherwise setting individual preferences for the specific person. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the preferences are set according to a priority list of people associated with the telematics service subscriber established either during initial telematics service subscriber setup or entered later either into the service website via a processing device or through the vehicle telematics unit by the telematics service subscriber. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the preferences comprise restricting strong language radio programs if at least one of the detected mobile devices is associated with an occupant who is under a certain age. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the preferences comprise limiting the speed of the vehicle if at least one of the detected mobile devices is associated with an occupant who is under a certain age. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the preferences comprise informing emergency personnel in the event of an emergency via the telematics unit of the presence of one or more personal mobile devices associated with one or more occupants inside the vehicle. 
     
     
         20 . A method of providing a customized in-vehicle service to one or more people inside a vehicle via a vehicle telematics unit, comprising the steps of:
 (a) receiving a Bluetooth address associated with a personal mobile device;   (b) establishing a service preference based on a telematics service subscriber request entered via a service web application or the vehicle telematics unit;   (c) associating the service preference with the Bluetooth address;   (d) detecting the presence of the personal mobile device at the vehicle through a wireless connection between the mobile device and the vehicle;   (e) associating the detected mobile device with the service preference; and   (f) providing a customized service to one or more occupants in the vehicle using the service preference.